If you’ve been thinking it’s time to lose some weight, get ready for some inspiration.

Warning! These stories may motivate you to kick-start your own fitness journey.

Enjoy some of our favorite V Shred reviews and transformations.

My V Shred review: 460 pounds and out of hope

“My whole life, I struggled with my weight…ever since I can remember…I was someone who was always bigger than others…”

After seeing 460 pounds on the scale, 43 year old Conrad needed a radical change. Something for the sake of his health and his family. But after yo-yo dieting and many failed attempts, Conrard was losing hope.

Then out of nowhere, V Shred popped up on his Facebook feed

“I saw it, and it was a light bulb moment that said, this is it.”

And through the right nutrition, workouts and supplements, Conrad lost over 200 pounds.

But it wasn’t just weight he lost. Conrad reduced his metabolic age by 4 years.

But the real defining moment was having the confidence to reconnect with a lost love.

Conrad’s story shows the power of taking your health into your own hands. In his V Shred review, he urges others not to wait for the perfect time to start.

“If you’re mentally ready to go on a journey and do extraordinary things for yourself and set goals and achieve them, this is it.”

My V Shred review: 460 pounds and out of hope

“Everything is up to you. If you want it hard enough and you work for it, you’re gonna get it.” 

You wouldn’t guess by looking at her now, but 19 years ago, a drunk driver shattered Amy’s body. The damage was so extensive, Amy needed open heart surgery. 

Doctors didn’t think Amy would live, let alone walk again. They also believed that having children wouldn’t be possible for her after the accident.

Fast forward to today and Amy has defied the odds. She’s not only walking again and has since had two children, she’s in the best shape of her life.

In just 90 days, Amy shed 17 pounds along with her physical limitations and failed diet attempts.

But more than physical strength and knowing how to eat, she gained a renewed sense of empowerment. 

Now, she encourages others: “If you want lasting success, you have to do something different.” 

My V Shred review: I’m a mom of 4 and I lost 22 pounds in 90 Days

While some say they don’t have time, Renae was busy losing 22 pounds while being a wife, full-time mom of four and career professional.

But it was V Shred’s unique dieting approach that hooked Renae in.

“I was interested in the fact that I could still eat carbs and do the carb cycling, and that was really an important part to me.”

One of the first things Renae did to set herself up for success didn’t cost a single cent. She looked within to discover her why.

And it was in defining this “why” that helped Renae transform in such a short amount of time. What started as “feeling good in a swimsuit” evolved into wanting to like pictures of herself.

Completing Toned In 90 Days, Renae lost 22 pounds,  She didn’t just lose weight — she gained lean muscle, too.

At 43, she rocked a bikini photoshoot, and the pictures speak volumes. 

Renae feels healthier than ever and can’t imagine returning to her old ways.

What’s her advice?

“V Shred works, but success requires effort. Don’t fear setting big goals, and for women, embrace lifting weights.”

My V Shred review: My self worth went through the roof 

“I did the full jiu-jitsu for like an hour and a half, and I wasn’t out of breath. I barely broke a sweat, and I was ready to go some more.”

Whether you’re always making excuses or you have an aversion to the gym, you can use Eric as your inspiration.  He made the decision to reshape his life, as well as his diet and body.

And aside from the physical changes; Eric could see how this was the start of a healthier, more confident and fulfilling life.

As a single man, Eric enjoyed his newfound female attention.

“It’s nice to get looks from the ladies…The confidence that it gives you is kind of… Non-verbal communication is huge.”

But it wasn’t only his romantic relationships but the bond with his children that strengthened.

“My kids’ relationship towards me, which has always been wonderful.

I’m a loving dad. I care for them. But they’re opening up more to me about their own personal struggles…You can’t put a price on living longer for your kids.”

My V Shred review: I lost 9 Inches in 12 weeks

“When I first started V Shred, it would take me about 14 to 15 minutes to get through a mile, and now it takes me about eight minutes.”

Having battled her weight for years, at her heaviest, Ashley weighed over 400 pounds. 

But these days, age 36, Ashley has abs for the first time in her life.

Once she found V Shred, Ashley lost 21 pounds in 8 weeks (including 6 pounds in her first week) and an amazing 9 inches from around her waist.

But as a military wife with no family nearby, it was the V Shred community that supported Ashley.

“…It’s not the exercise plan or the meal plan or the supplements or any of that stuff, it’s the community. That’s what I was looking for.”

Now she has so much confidence, she’s walking with sass. And even though she’s been with her husband since they were 15… Their relationship has never been better. 

“I’ve been with my husband since I was 15… he’s seen me at my youngest, my fattest… and now he’s gonna see me at my best, and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

My V Shred review: I’m half the woman I used to be

“I’ve been part of the V Shred Accelerator program. I’ve lost 33.5 pounds. I’ve learned so much about myself…But more importantly I’ve learned how to eat.”

Brittany was often telling herself she “was supposed to be big” and that she had “big bones” but those excuses no longer served her.

And when she dropped these beliefs and tried something new, Brittany lost almost half her body weight.

“My start weight was 185.5 pounds and now I am 146.2 pounds consistently. My original goal weight was 170 pounds because ‘I was supposed to be big’ and ‘I have big bones.’”

In 2019, Brittany was 280 pounds. And though it’s been a long journey what Brittany has lost in weight she’s gained in confidence, joy, energy, and self-love.

“I can look back and love the big version of myself for making this decision, for starting this journey.  And I’m sitting here at the end of it so proud of all I’ve accomplished.”

The last time Brittany lost weight, she got to 185.5lbs doing restrictive diets – and hating food and herself for wanting it. 

V Shred found Brittany during her most challenging binge eating/diet cycle.

4 years later, she’s half the woman she was then.

“If I could go back and, and talk to that girl who was crying at the computer, it would not even be a hesitation. I wouldn’t have even had to explain the logic if she could see where I am now.”

My V Shred review: 72 pounds lighter in 33 weeks

“This is not a fad. It’s real. The only person you can thank is yourself for trying this. You will love it. You will see the results…You will love yourself again, and that is important.”

At 305 pounds, Rich was repulsed by his reflection.

And after trying and failing at various diets, Rich was skeptical about V Shred’s approach. Eating fast food 3-4 times a week, Rich wanted to change but had tried and failed every single time.

But it was something in a V Shred ad that resonated with Rich..

“There was a story. Someone said V Shred was life-changing for them, and I have always loved the saying — when you change the way you see yourself, you change the way you see the world. That is kind of what I got from that interview you had there. So I said, let’s go, let’s try it.”

Rich took the plunge and two rounds of Fat Loss Extreme later, Rich shed 72 pounds and gained a whole new lifestyle.

“When you hate looking at yourself in the mirror, it’s impossible to feel confident in yourself. It sucks. I don’t feel that way anymore. I actually don’t want to put on a shirt when I go anywhere.”

And of course it wasn’t always easy. There were some days the workouts got the best of him both physically and mentally. 

But Rich’s victory isn’t just about weight loss but a newfound happiness. Infact, his influence was so positive that his wife started her journey too.

“My whole life has changed. I’m happy again. I’m smiling again. This is not a fake smile. It’s a real smile, and I’ve got it on all the time.”

Extreme results are featured. Some customers extend their programs to achieve their results. See our Testimonial Support Page for typical results.

Even though these are diverse stories and individuals, there is a theme.

It’s not just about the weight.

These stories are also about reclaiming vitality, confidence, and joy.

They’re about setting big goals and achieving them. And enjoying better relationships plus a huge surge in self-worth. V Shred is not just a fitness program — it’s the start of a better life for those daring to take the leap. Learn more about what people are saying about V Shred here. 

And tune in to the V Shred podcast for weekly content and tips for living a healthier lifestyle.

The post V Shred Reviews from Real Customers – What People Are Saying appeared first on V Shred.

V Shred offers a wide range of programs for a total body transformation. Whether you’re male or female, we have something that can help you lose weight, build muscle, and get you in the best shape of your life. Thousands of people have shared their V Shred reviews and transformations to date. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the top V Shred diet programs and how they work: 

Fat Loss Extreme for Women

Fat Loss Extreme gives you a comprehensive weight loss program. This version is specifically for women.

Fat Loss Extreme targets some of the unique challenges that women face on their weight loss journey. Pregnancy. Hormonal imbalances. Menopause. You get a weight loss program that’s designed for your specific needs.

So that the fat loss isn’t just rapid, but it also lasts. You get meal plans and short workout routines that can fit with any schedule. 

Fat Loss Extreme for Men

This one’s for guys that wanna burn fat and get ripped. The problem with most fat loss programs for men, is they also burn pounds of muscle mass. So we have created a unique approach that allows men to burn fat AND keep their muscle stores in the Fat Loss Extreme for men program.

You get a nutrition plan rich in protein, a day by day exercise gameplan, and a nutrient list that helps to keep your body toned. Out of all the V Shred Diet programs, this one is the best option for men looking to get rid of their “Dad Bod.”

Toned in 90 Days for Women

Toned in 90 Days is for those ladies who desire a sexy toned body. The kind they can proudly show off at the beach without having to feel shy about wearing their favorite bikini.

You get a 90 day program that can help take you from flabby to toned. You get a blend of resistance training, light cardio, and a diet that helps you to tone your stomach, legs, and arms. 

Ripped in 90 Days for Men

Ripped in 90 Days is the equivalent of Toned in 90 Days, but for men. This is for guys that want to get JACKED. Guys who want to pump up their biceps, their chest, show off a stomach of wash board abs.

Ripped in 90 Days comes with a HIIT training program, strength training plans, and diet programs all geared towards chiseling your body. 

V Shred Accelerator+ Coaching Program

The V Shred Accelerator Plus program is the ultimate program for men OR women who want all the support and coaching possible. This is like having a Hollywood Elite trainer who crafts all your meal plans, exercise plans, and keeps you in “Movies Star Quality Shape.” 

You literally get a customized training plan, personalized meal choices, and a coach that you work 1 on 1 with. There’s no better coaching program than the V Shred Accelerator+. Of all the V Shred Diet Programs, the Accelerator Plus coaching program offers the most support and transformation. Check out some of the incredible V Shred reviews and transformations from this program here.

Metabolic Assessment Quiz

Finally, there’s one more thing I recommend you try. It’s the V Shred Metabolic Assessment Quiz. 

You simply click the link below, and you take a 30 second quiz. This quiz acts like an “Obesity Screening” that checks your Metabolic Health. You’ll understand what might be blocking your body from burning fat…

And you’ll get tips to help raise your metabolism. The reason I like the Metabolic Assessment Quiz is because it helps ALL of the other programs – or anything you’re doing on your own – become that much more effective. If you’re interested in taking this quiz, I recommend you check it out here.

User Testimonials and Success Stories

We have a library filled with thousands of testimonials and V Shred reviews. You can spend hours browsing through countless success stories, before and afters, so that you feel 100% certain that we’re the right fit for you. 

The post V Shred Diet Programs – What’s Included? appeared first on V Shred.

“Everything seems impossible till you do it. Nothing seems impossible now.”
Brandon – V Shred Client 

“I tried working out before I found your program. I didn’t really know what I was doing, just throwing weights around. I wasn’t seeing any progress,” remembers Brandon before discovering V Shred. 

Brandon wasn’t exactly sure what he was looking for when he stumbled across V Shred, he just knew he had gained about 80 pounds, was unhealthy, unhappy, and something had to change.

“I was sitting on the couch eating some cheetos or something and flipping through Facebook, and I saw your ad on there, and I clicked on it, watched the videos, and thought I’m gonna do it, this is it,”  he says.

Brandon’s starting point was 210 pounds and close to 28 percent body fat. He says he jiggled when he walked and got too winded to play with his young kids. 

Now? After a grueling 18 months of going back and forth between Ripped In 90 Days and Clean Bulk — Brandon is 151 pounds, 7.8% body fat, and feels the healthiest he has in his entire life!  

“That was the coolest part about the whole thing is watching my body shrink and muscles are starting to develop, and you can see them,” says Brandon

Brandon loved our programs so much he completed Ripped In 90 Days a total of 6 times and Clean Bulk twice. But says the custom diet plan was the real game-changer, especially during his clean bulk phases.  

“It was cool because it was the right kind of food. I am putting on muscle and watching myself get bigger, not fatter.”

Brandon’s results also motivated one of his sons to hit the gym and his wife to jump on board too! 

“She did at home workouts, lost 30 pounds,” he says. 

Brandon says it’s not just the aesthetic changes, inspiring others, or even the health benefits from losing weight — he says his entire life has changed for the better since finding V Shred a year and a half ago. 

“My confidence level has gone up a lot. It’s really reflected in my life. My career has taken off. Bought our first house, got both our kids cars, 3 kids, two are teens.” 

The 43-year old says the biggest advice he has for anyone thinking about purchasing one of our programs and getting started is simple — invest in yourself! 

“I feel like I can do anything. It’s not just the training, and it’s not just the food, it’s the package deal, everything has come into play where Over the past year and a half I’ve seen myself do things I didn’t know I could do!”

To hear more about Brandon’s V Shred journey and learn which supplements were his favorite to use that helped him recover faster from his workouts, amplify his results, and improve his sleep — click the video box at the top of this page! 

We would love to help you take your first step so that you will also have a V Shred testimony to share! You can reach our team by clicking HERE! 

Brandon’s Case Study is the story of Brandon’s  unique experience with V Shred and his weight loss and fitness journey.  His results are uniquely his and this Case Study is a detailed presentation of Brandon’s decision making and use of V Shred products and programs. There is no assurance that your personal experience will be similar to his.

The post V Shred Review: “I got rid of my Dad Bod and got shredded with the V Shred program!” appeared first on V Shred.

Changing any habit is hard. But eating habits are especially tough.

But the good news is that many people have been where you are before, and emerged on the other side leaner, healthier, and feeling amazing. Just take a look at some of our V Shred customer transformations for proof!

Here’s how to navigate the initial learning curve of nutrition and start eating better today!

Draw a line around your house.

You can’t keep the world from being full of junk food, but you can choose to not bring it into your house.

Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “If you hang around the barbershop long enough, eventually you’re going to get a haircut.” Well, this applies to cravings, too. If you let your weakness into your home, it’s got a much better chance of finding you.

“But I can just have a little bit…” Or can you? Maybe, but maybe not… yet.

When you’re just starting out, we suggest not buying any high-calorie “trigger” foods, and getting rid of the ones that are in your house. Keep them out until you have some time behind you and are certain you can trust yourself to resist or can enjoy one serving (accounted for if you are tracking macros) and move on. For some people, this could be months down the road. or years.

In the mean time, stock up on veggies to snack on and even some Sculpt Nation Protein. You can shake it up with just water, add some fruit for a delicious smoothie, or create protein-filled treats like protein pancakes!

If you have a sweet tooth, many of our clients say they curb those cravings with our Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies. You can have up to three 20-calorie servings a day, and they taste like candy! Plus, they can help give you quick “pick-me-up energy” and provide digestion and metabolism support.

Drink Up

It’s really common to think you’re hungry, when you’re actually just thirsty or even a little dehydrated.

If you’re feeling desperately hungry, have a glass of water or another no-calorie beverage like some Sculpt Nation BCAAs, wait 20 minutes, and see how you feel.

If you need some other suggestions of beverages you can enjoy while dieting, check out the article What Should I Drink Beside Water?

And if you are wondering if it’s okay to drink things like coffee or alcohol, we’ve got you covered there too! You can read our tips for consuming these beverages and staying on track in the article Can I Drink Alcohol or Coffee?

Do some targeted meal prep

Meal prep is a popular way to try to gain control over nutrition, but not all of us are ready to prep every meal, every day — and that’s just fine!  Especially if you’re just starting out, consider just prepping the meal you struggle with the most.

You can start with breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks — whichever one is your “problem meal” and tends to cause you to over-indulge or end up in the drive-thru. Then, once you feel confident preparing that meal, take that momentum and apply it to another meal.

You might be surprised how big of an effect simply fixing one calorie-bomb per day can have!

If you need some tips on meal prepping, check out the popular meal prep guide Vince Sant posted on our V Shred’s YouTube Channel.

Have A Strong Support System

Getting started can feel infinitely harder if your friends, family, and co-workers aren’t joining you and adopting a healthy lifestyle of their own. Even if you feel like you’re the only one in your circle making positive changes, it’s still important that you vocalize your goals and let them know you would welcome their support.

But it’s equally important to have like-minded people in your circle cheering you on. This is exactly why we created our private Facebook Groups for Men and Women.

It’s free to join, and there are hundreds of thousands of other clients and even our V Shred trainers and nutritionists in these groups that are happy to offer tips that will help you navigate your exercise program and diet and offer the support you need to stay on track!

Still Stuck? We’ve Got Your Back! 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help! You may not be an expert yet, but we have some team members who definitely hare.

The Custom Coaching team at V Shred have created over 1 million personalized meal plans for people from all backgrounds, and can do the same for you. No matter your situation, they’ve seen it before.

Our most dramatic transformations almost always involve custom coaching. So if you’re really confused or ready to make a serious change, you can get your custom diet plan here or learn more by emailing coaching@vshred.com.

The post I’m Totally Lost And Struggling With Nutrition. What Do I Do? appeared first on V Shred.

A few years ago, you’d find people online debating whether creatine “worked.”

There’s no real doubt about that anymore.

Creatine has been shown in study after study to improve strength, power, speed, recovery— pretty much everything that makes a workout better, especially if you are doing one of our programs like Clean Bulk, Ripped In 90 Days, or Toned In 90 Days. 

These days, instead of asking “does it work,” the question has shifted to “Is there a best time and way to take creatine?” It’s a topic that is almost as heavily debated as “Are BCAAs a waste of money” — which you can read more about HERE.

For this article, we are going to clear up any confusion you have about creatine.

Creatine: Before or After a Workout? 

The funny thing about creatine is that there really isn’t a “best” time to take it in regard to your workout. As long as you take between 2-5 grams daily, even on non-training days, when you consume it isn’t as important.

That is because its effects are systemic, meaning that you need to have it build up in your system to work, over a period of days or weeks.

This sounds great, but the only problem with taking a supplement daily is that it can be easy to forget, especially on rest days.

That’s why we recommend taking creatine post-workout on training days: it’s easier to remember. And it’s why we put a precise amount of three different types of creatine in our Sculptnation Post-Workout. There is no guesswork! You get both a clinically studied dose of creatine AND other nutrients your body needs to properly recover after crushing a tough workout all in one scoop.

But if you’re in the “I’ll drink it whenever” camp or would rather slam a protein shake after your workout, we’ve got you covered there, too.

Sculpt Nation Creatine is designed to be a single-dose of the most research-backed form of creatine, which is creatine monohydrate. Each scoop has 5g, which is all anyone needs.

Should I load with creatine?

Some people recommend starting off by taking creatine with what is known as a “creatine loading protocol,” which is typically 4-5 doses a day for five days.

Is it effective? Sure, but unless you’re desperately seeking muscle size, most people should skip it.

Here’s why: Some people experience temporary side effects from creatine loading, like bloating or an upset stomach — and these pretty much always happen during loading protocols.

The answer: Keep it simple!! Just take 3-5 g every single day, and you’ll load your muscles just as well without any of the side effects some experience with “creatine loading.”

Not to mention, supplements only play a small part in reaching your muscle-building goals. You should first and foremost make sure your nutrition is on point. You can find out how much and what you need to eat to reach your goals in the V Shred App for IOS or Android. Make sure you get that squared away before you consider supplementing.

If Creatine Is Necessary For Your Goals? 

If you are looking at all this advice and just saying, “just tell me what to do, please,” that’s why we have the V Shred personal trainer and nutritionist team. 

Maybe you are a female mainly looking to lose body fat and not sure if creatine is needed? Or are an Ectomorph body type and unsure if you need more creatine to help reach your muscle-building goals?

Not only does our expert team make personalized diet and workout plans for thousands of people every day, but they can also help you pick the best supplements for your body type and goals.

You can get your personalized meal plan here or email coaching@vshred.com to learn more. 

The post When Should I Take Creatine? appeared first on V Shred.

Right off the bat, let’s be clear that fat burners are not magic. You can’t simply pop a pill and watch excess fat magically melt away.

If losing weight was as easy as taking a pill or powder, one in three Americans wouldn’t be obese, and the obesity rate wouldn’t be continuing to rise as it currently is steadily.

To lose weight and keep it off, you need to start by integrating activity and exercise in your life. A  weight-loss targeted programs like Fat Loss Extreme Men or Women can get you there. 

Step two is to gear your nutrition toward your goal. You can do all of that by calculating your personalized macro/calorie needs within the V Shred App for IOS or Android. Or if that feels beyond your ability  — which is understandable — one of our on-staff nutritionists can help you do it.

But once you have those two factors in place, a quality fat-burner can help provide that little extra “something” that can help you get where you want to go a little faster, and feeling a little less depleted along the way.

How To Make Your Fat Burner Work Better

Like most supplements, there is an OK, better, and best time to take a fat-burner. Here are the biggest priorities to keep in mind:

Consistency: A lot of people buy a fat burner and then just take it every once in a while or when they remember. That’s not how fat burners (or most supplements) work. You’ve got to take them regularly and strategically to see the benefits.

Time Of Day: A tried-and-true approach, backed by V Shred co-founder Vince Sant, is to take it as soon as you wake up each morning — about 30-40 minutes before eating breakfast.

Here’s why: Your metabolic rate is slowest in the morning, and the active ingredients can help kick it back into gear and manage your appetite throughout the day.

Now, some people find that taking it on an empty stomach doesn’t sit quite right. If this sounds like you, wait and have it with your first meal of the day instead.

You can also take a fat-burner like Burn Evolved 30 minutes before your workout to give yourself a little extra push. It’s just got 100 mg of caffeine, which is less than most pre-workout supplements.

The only recommendation: don’t take it too close to bedtime, or the caffeine could interfere with your sleep. That’s why we created BURN PM, a nighttime thermogenic that is free of stimulants and can actually help you sleep better. The two work well enough together that we offer both  (plus Turmeric Black) in our Fat Loss Stack.

Ease Your Way In: No matter when you take BURN EVOLVED, if you’re just starting out, ease your way into the full two-pill dose. Maybe start with half and see how you feel until your body adapts to the caffeine and other ingredients. Or you can take one pill in the morning, and another with lunch.

Need Help Dialing In Your Diet, Exercise, and Supplement Regime? 

Don’t forget: Even the best a fat burner works way better when it’s part of a well-designed fat-loss nutrition plan.

If you need some expert help, we have a team of qualified nutrition experts who create custom meal plans for thousands of people every day.

Our most dramatic transformations almost always come from these plans. So if you’re curious, you can get your personalized weight-loss diet plan here or by emailing us at coaching@vshred.com.

The post When Should I Take A Fat Burner? appeared first on V Shred.

Not that long ago, bros in the gym talked about what they called the “anabolic window.” It was a magical-sounding 45-60 minute space where you had to have a protein shake, or else you’d risk your muscles wasting away.

We know better now. Most research has shown that your muscles aren’t in significant danger if you don’t have a shake right away, even if you are doing a tough program like V Shred’s Clean Bulk to pack on muscle mass.

But no, that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea to have protein powder post-workout. Here’s your best post-workout protein strategy, no matter if your goal is weight loss or pure muscle gains!

Should I Have A Protein Shake, A Meal, Or Both?

The science is clear that if you’re lifting weights regularly, a higher protein diet can help you achieve more fat loss, more muscle gain, and just better results in general. It’s also clear that your body is more sensitive to protein in the hours following a workout— somewhere around 2-3 hours, for most people.

Both of those sound like good arguments for consuming protein pretty soon after a workout.

But does it have to be a protein shake? What about chicken, fish, eggs?

They’re all great sources of protein. The real advantages to having a shake post-workout are more functional:

• Protein is more convenient than packing a meal around
• It’s also light enough in the stomach that you can eat soon afterward

One other benefit: your body uses it more quickly, since whey protein like Sculptnation Protein digests much more quickly than meat.

Our suggestion: keep some protein powder in your gym bag and go ahead and slam it on your way home from the gym. Then have your planned post-workout meal an hour or two later.

Need Some Additional Help Determining Your Protein Needs? 

If you’re not sure how much protein to eat, the macronutrient calculator in the V Shred App for IOS or Android can help you set a daily target to aim for. Getting systematic about this one macronutrient can be a game-changer!

And if this is all just confusing to you, or you are unsure if you need to have both a shake and a meal post-lift, you’re not alone! Our expert team of certified personal trainers and nutritionists at V Shred can create a custom meal and supplement plan that lays out everything you need to reach your goals faster and easier!

You can get your personalized meal plan here, or email coaching@vshred.com.

The post Should I Have A Protein Shake After Working Out? appeared first on V Shred.

What Are Amino Acids And BCAAs?

Amino acids are components of proteins in the human body — and in the protein that we eat. There are 20 different amino acids, and 9 are considered “essential,” — which just means your body can’t make them, so they must be obtained through your diet and/or supplements.

Of those nine, three are branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs); leucine, isoleucine, and valine. “Branched” just refers to their chemical structure.

Don’t worry; you don’t need to memorize any of this. The big takeaway that these three essential BCAAs have been shown to turn on a process called “muscle protein synthesis” — which is how your body repairs and builds muscle tissue. For this reason, they’re popular among athletes — and pretty much everyone else looking to get leaner, more muscular, and recover from tough workouts.

When To Take BCAAs

Because BCAAs are  very low-calorie–like almost zero–and don’t contain any stimulants, there’s really no wrong way to take them. However, if you are just a little strategic, they can be one more valuable tool to help you feel just a little better, especially when calories are low.

When Cutting Calories Or Fasting: If your calories are low, incorporate any type of fasting, or just enjoy doing your cardio on an empty stomach, drinking some before and/or during your workouts is a great way to keep your muscles fueled and lower the risk of your body using its own muscle tissue as fuel.

Take them alone, mix them with a pre-workout, or if you’re working out at night, you could even take them instead of a pre-workout.

Before a workout to combat muscle soreness: If you’re sitting around sore from yesterday’s workout, BCAAs probably aren’t going to do much. It’s important to take them before your workout for this benefit. But research has shown that taking a dose prior to lifting can decrease what is known as “delayed onset muscle soreness,” or that aching muscle pain that sometimes lingers for a day or two after lifting.

Between Meals: Taking BCAAs in between meals, or when you have to skip a meal, can  act as a “bridge” between your higher-protein meals, keeping that muscle protein synthesis going even when you haven’t eaten in a few hours.

When Plain Water Isn’t Cutting It: If you find it difficult to hit your daily water intake goal, adding some BCAAs to your water jug is a great way to encourage you to drink up!

If You Have A Sweet Tooth: Because our BCAAS are so delicious, they are a great way to curb your occasional sweet tooth! And if BCAAS aren’t cutting it, you could try having some of our Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies! They taste like candy and can also help control occasional hunger cravings, give you quick “pick-me-up energy,” and provide digestion and metabolism support.

Need Additional Supplement, Diet, or Exercise Support? 

If you are struggling to engineer your nutrition around your goals, that’s where our team of coaches and nutritionists from V Shred Custom Coaching can help.

Our coaches have made over 1 million meal plans so far, and help thousands of people every day to get fitter than ever and feel great doing it. You can get your custom meal plan here or email coaching@vshred.com, and we’ll set you up with the perfect coach for you.

The post When Should I Take BCAAs? appeared first on V Shred.

How to prepare protein is a question we hear all the time. In terms of nutrition questions, it’s right up there with “What should  I order when eating at a restaurant” and “Should I have a protein shake post-workout.”

And just like those questions the answer depends on your goals.Here’s how to cook your proteins in a way that will keep you from getting bored and help you reach your goals!

Best Ways To Prepare Meat For Weight Loss

If you’re using one of our programs like Fat Loss Extreme for Men or Women or Move, it’s likely that you’re looking to lose or control your weight. If that’ the case, then battering or deep-frying your meat on a daily basis probably won’t help you much!

When weight-loss is the goal, stick with low-calorie ways of cooking your meat such as:

• Baking
• Grilling
• Boiling
• Pan-frying
• Air frying

All of these methods are great for cooking enough meat for a single meal, or even better, for “meal prepping” multiple meals– which we highly recommend. 

One other thing to watch out for if you are trying to lose weight is cooking oils. They can add a lot of calories from fats, and it doesn’t take very much for them to add up quickly, especially if you are cooking with them for several meals each day.

Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t use them. It just means you should use oils in moderation and, more importantly, track them if you are measuring your food and tracking calories/macros — which you can easily calculate in our V Shred App for IOS or Android.

Here are a few other cooking options besides frying, battering, and smothering with oils.

Cooking Sprays: Most cooking methods mentioned above don’t require additional oil. But if needed and you’re looking for places to cut calories, consider switching to a few spritzes of cooking spray.

Herbs & Spices: These will be your best friend if you want to flavor your meat without any additional calories! Change them around, and you’ll find you can prepare chicken or other meats multiple ways, all without adding any calories.

Rotate A Variety Of Lean Meats: Don’t feel like you need to limit your protein choices to fish and chicken! Lean ground beef, lean ground turkey, lean ground bison, and even pork tenderloin are delicious low-fat protein sources.

They are also  super easy to prep without additional oils. Just toss them in some spices, cook using one of the suggested methods above, and then serve them up alongside some vegetables and a healthy carb — and dinner is done.

If you get bored with meat, you can also use Sculpt Nation PROTEIN to make a delicious smoothie, or even something fun like protein pancakes! 

Best Ways To Cook Meat For Bulking/Weight Gain

If you are in a caloric surplus or looking for ways to add more calories to your meals without feeling overly stuffed (which is a common issue that we talk about in the article Should I Keep Eating if I’m Full?  — cooking oils and higher fat meats are a great way to sneak in calories.

That doesn’t necessarily mean “all butter, all the time,” though! After all, a bulking program like CLEAN BULK should be just that… clean!

And if it’s not clear where that line is, we can help you find it! That’s why we have a team of nutritionists at V Shred who make custom goal-oriented meal plans for people worldwide every day.

You can get your customized meal plan here or email coaching@vshred.com, and we’ll create a plan that you can stick with that includes the best ways to prepare your meals!

If you aren’t already, you should also get active in our Facebook Groups for Men or Women. Thousands of people — even our on-staff trainers and nutrition experts — are there every day offering cooking tips, recipes, and more!

The post What Are The Best Ways To Cook Meat? appeared first on V Shred.

The post What Should I Order In A Restaurant When I’m On A Diet? appeared first on V Shred.